Vacuum cleaner



K. D. M MAHAN VACUUM CLEANER Jan. 3, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1951 TOR lk'Mafiam ATTORNEY INVEN Kenton/D.

Jan. 3, 1956 Filed Feb. 3, 1951 K. D. M MAHAN VACUUM CLEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR lfenfomflbIc/llakan ATTORNEY United States Patent VACUUM CLEANER Kenton D. McMahan, Scotia, N. Y. Application February 3, 1951, Serial No. 209,277 Claims. (Cl. 18337) The present invention relates to a dust bag therefor.

The conventional type of floor or tank type cleaner with its heavy floor unit and long flexible cumbersome hose attached thereto is awkward to manipulate, heavy and burdensome to carry and difiicult to store. Moreover, these vacuum cleaners, because of their design and because of the corrugations and/or irregularities in their flexible hose, surfer from heavy pressure losses therethrough, requiring thereby comparatively large motors and fans.

One object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner with its parts designed, arranged and balanced to permit its easy and convenient manipulation selectively either as a floor or rug cleaner or as an easily portable hand device for cleaning upholstered furniture, draperies or the like.

Another object is to provide a new and improved disposable dust bag construction for a vacuum cleaner which is inexpensive to make, which is efiicient in filtering out the finest dust particles but which at the same time cannot be clogged by lint accumulations, and which is designed to trap the dust collected therein when the cleaner is not in use.

Various other objects of the invention are apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a form of vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention and shown set for floor cleaning;

Figure 2 is a detail portion of Figure 1 shown on a larger scale;

Figure 3 is a schematic section of the fan including its housing taken on lines 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevational perspective of the dust bag employed in the vacuum cleaner but shown in flat condition for storage and/or transportation;

Figure 5 shows the vacuum cleaner set up to clean a rug or floor;

Figure 6 shows the vacuum cleaner set up as a portable hand device to clean the upholstery on a chair or to clean any area above the floor level; and

Figure 7 is a detail section of another form of vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention.

Referring to Figures 16 of the drawings, the vacuum cleaner comprises generally a rigid cylindrical casing 10 for a dust bag 11, a cap 12 removably attached to the forward end of the casing on the inlet end of the dust bag and a fan and motor unit 13 secured to the rear end of the casing on the outlet end of said bag. The end cap 12 is adapted to mount a short rigid suction tube 14 in communication with the inlet end of the'dust bag 11 and in position to support a floor cleaning nozzle or tool 15 through a long rigid tube extension 16 when the cleaner is set to clean a floor, rug or the like, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 or in position to support directly a cleaning brush or tool 17 when the cleaner is set as a portable hand device for cleaning above the floor level, as shown in Fig. 6.

to a vacuum cleaner and The fan and motor unit 13 speed motor-driven single stage centrifugal suction fan 18 on the outlet end of the dust bag 11 having a radial diifuser 19 and a housing 20 comprising two separate similar involutes with two diametrically opposite tangential discharge openings 21 and 22 respectively at the ends of the involutes. One of the openings 21 has a control damper 23 which is mounted on a shaft terminating outside the fan housing 20 in a suitable turning handle or knob 24 and which serves to control the suction pressure through the cleaner. One of the discharge openings 21 or 22, with or without the control damper 23, serves as a connection for the attachment of accessories such as tubes and nozzles by which blowing operations may be effected and for the attachment of such devices as paint spray units and demothing units.

The centrifugal fan 18 has an impeller web 25, one side of which carries suction blades 26 for drawing the dust laden air through the dust bag 11, the other side carrying blades 27 for a ventilating fan drawing air through a motor 28 forming part of the unit 13 for driving the fans. A plate 29 secured at its outer periphery to the fan housing 20 has its central portion annularly flanged to form a suction inlet or orifice for the fan 18.

The motor 28 is enclosed in a thin housing 31 secured at one end to an axial extension of the fan housing 20 and having near its other end a series of inlet air holes 32 communicating with corresponding inlet air holes 33 in the motor casing 34. Openings 35 in the axial extension of the fan housing 20 serve as outlets for the ventilating air induced by the fan blades 27 through inlet holes 32 and 33 and along the stator 36 and the rotor 37.

The motor 28 is elastically mounted by circular section rings 38 and 39 which serve to support the motor resiliently. The ring 38 is located between one end of the motor casing 34 and the axial extension of the fan housing 20 and the other ring 39 is located between the thin motor housing 31 and the motor casing 34.

A cap 40 containing a switch 41 with a snap finger plunger 42 projecting axially therefrom is removably connected to the end wall of the motor casing 34 by screws 43. A conductor cord 44 secured to the switch 41 extends from the cap 40 for connection to a wall outlet.

The forward end of the casing 10 is constructed for the attachment of the end cap 12 thereto. Towards that end, there is secured to the end of the casing 10 on its inner peripheral side, as for example by welding, a cap mounting ring 45 offset to form an annular recess 46 with the inner periphery of the casing and an annular radial flange 47 serving as an abutment for one end of a rigid bag container 48 to be described. This annular recess 46 is adapted to receive a lip 49 on a ring 50 likewise secured to the peripheral inner side of casing 10, as for example by welding.

The end cap 12 comprises a dished section 51 desirably constituting a metal stamping, tapering generally towards its forward end and axially secured at this end to the suction tube 14. For reinforcing the end cap 12 and for further supporting the suction tube 14, said cap has inside its rear end a wall plate 53 secured at its outer periphery to said end cap, as for example by welding, and provided with an axial cylindrical flange 54 embracing the suction tube 14. This suction tube 14 is welded to the forward end of the cap section 51 or to the wall plate flange 54 or to both and has a forward part 55 projecting axially outwardly from the forward end of the cap 12 for the direct frictional attachment there to of the cleaning nozzle 17 (Fig. 6) or of the tube extension 16 (Figs. 1 and 5) and a rear part 57 projecting axially inwardly from the wall cap plate 54 for excomprise a small high tension into the inlet or suction end of the dust bag 11, as will be more fully described.

The lip ring 58 secured to the end of the casing serves to align the rear end 58 of the dished cap section 51 with said casing, so that said cap can be slipped on or off the casing it) for bag replacement purposes. Lip ring 50 also serves as a snap ring retainer for the bag 11, as will be more fully described. 7

To insure retention of the cap onto the casing 10, there is provided between said cap and said casing on diametrically opposite sides thereof releaas'able spring clamps 59 of any suitable well-known construction.

The dust bag 11 is completely disposable and comprises an inexpensive sack 60 made of a layer or layers of paper fibrous filter material pervious to air and impervious to dust and an inner flexible sack lining 61 of cotton mesh or gauze-like fabric arranged to catch metallic objects, such as hair pins, nails, etc. which might otherwise puncture the paper filter sack. The mouth of the composite bag 11 is held in expanded position and sealed against leakage by a disk ring 62 having form sustaining rigidity and desirably made of inexpensive material such as paper to permit it to be discarded with the bag. This ring 62 has a central hole 63, and is positioned with a snug fit within the mouth of both the paper sack 68 and the lining 61.

To prevent the mouth of the paper sack 60 from slipping over the ring 62, the end mouth section of the sack beyond the ring is folded radially inwardly over the ring and is provided with darts 66a in the form of tapering folds which reduce the diameter of the mouth opening of the sack beyond the ring in cylindrical condition of the sack but still allows the ring to enter the sack elgewise when the sack is in fiat condition.

The end section 64 of the cotton lining 61 extends beyond the end of the paper sack 6G, is wrapped around the ring 62 and is tucked through the ring hole 63 to form a suction nozzle 65 for the dust bag 11 in operation as shown in Fig. 2 and a dust and lint trap for the bag 12 when operation ceases. The rear part 57 of the suction tube 14 extends through this bag nozzle 65 and during cleaning operation the suction created through said nozzle causes it to be inflated axially as shown in Fig. 2. When operation ceases, the part of the flexible cotton lining 61 defining the bag nozzle 65 collapses around the rear part 57 of the suction tube 14 projecting therein and forms a trap for the lint and the dust.

For transportation or storage, the ring 62 is laid against the assembled paper sack 60 and lining 61 and the closed end of the dust bag folded such as shown in Fig. 4 to form a fiat easily packable unit or the ring 62 might be left completely inside sack 6t and lining 61 in a fiat position or as a component of a rolled unit. The end section 64 of the lining 61 tucked into the hole 63 of the ring 62 prevents said ring from slipping out of the bag unit 11. For insertion into the casing 10, the ring 62 of the dust bag unit 11 is shifted into position at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said unit.

To contain the dust bag 11 in the casing 19 and to protect said casing and the fan 18 from hard foreign objects should the bag be inadvertently left out, there is provided the rigid cylindrical container 48 of metal wire or plastic mesh such as 16 mesh closed at its rear end by a mesh wall 71 and supported at its forward open end on the forward end of said casing. For supporting the bag container 48 in position in the casing 10, said container has connected to its forward end, as by welding or soldering, a ring '72 with a radially outwardly extending flange 73 adapted to axially abut and be attached to the radial inwardly extending fiange 47 on the cap mounting ring 45. With this arrangement, when the end cap 12 is removed from the casing 10, the dust bag 11 is free to he slipped out of the casing.

The bag ring 62 is larger in outside diameter than the inside diameter of the flange 73 on the bag container ring 72 and when the dust bag 11 is set up inside the easing 10, it is pressed into position against said flange and forms therewith an effective seal against dust leakage.

For clamping the dust bag 11 in this position in the casing 10, and offset 78 in the wall cap plate 53 abuts the central portion of the cloth covering bag ring 62 with a pressure applied by spring clamps 59, and presses the outer peripheral section of said bag ring against the flange 73 on the bag container ring 72.

When the vacuum cleaner is set up for cleaning rugs, floors, etc. with the rigid extension tube 16 attached, the cleaner is manipulated with the casing 10 raised at one end, so that this casing extends at an angle with the floor, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. In this position of the cleaner, it is convenient to have a handle near the rear end of the casing 10 extend substantially horizontal for manipulation of the cleaner. In order to accommodate a handle so conveniently mounted, the axis of the fan and motor unit 13 is desirably about 30 with and below the longit'udin'al axis of the casing, so that this axis is substantially horizontal in floor operating position of the cleaner. Secured to a bracket extension 80 of the fan housing above the fan motor 28 just rearwardly of the center of gravity of the entire unit is a straight primary handle 81 extending generally along the fan and motor unit 13 and desirably at an angle of about 22 /2 with the longitudinal axis of the casing 10. This feature materially contributes to the balance and ease of handling of the vacuum cleaner and permits the primary handle 81 to be placed near the center of gravity of the fan and motor unit 13 which is the heaviest part of the cleaner.

The primary handle 81 is ordinarily employed for manipulation of the cleaner for floors and carpet operations in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 5. For use in connection with such operations the long straight rigid tube extension 16 is telescoped over the short suction tube 14 and is removably retained thereon by friction, as already described. At its forward end, the tube extension 16 has frictionally fitted thereon the floor nozzle or similar cleaning tool 15.

In addition to the primary handle 81, there is provided a secondary arched handle 85 secured to the top of the casing 10 at its rear end near and above the center of gravity of the entire unit exclusive of the rigid tube extension 16 and nozzle 15. This secondary handle 85 is intended for manipulation of the unit when used for cleaning upholstery, draperies or the like above the floor, as shown in Fig. 6. For that purpose, an appropriate brush or small cleaning nozzle 17 is attached by frictional embracement directly to the short suction tube 14.

ince the secondary handle 85 is mounted directly about the center of gravity of the cleaner when rigged up as shown in Fig. 6 for cleaning above the floor, the cleaner will not have a turning tendency about the holding hand of the operator. The unit can therefore be easily carried and manipulated from place to place by hand with ease and comfort. 7

It should be noted that the fan 18 and dust bag 11 are arranged with the fan on the outlet side of the bag. The air drawn into the cleaner unit is therefore filtered before being' admitted into the field of action of the fan 18. The

fan 18 is thereby protected against the destructive and soiling action of foreign matter carriedby the drawn air. Nofiexiblehose is carried by the cleaner unit of the present invention, so that high pressure drops attending the use of such hose is avoided. In accordance with the present invention, straight rigid tubes are employed between the cleaning nozzle or tool and the inlet end of the dust bag 11. The pressure drop through this part of the unit is therefore low, permitting thereby the use of a small fan 18 and a motor 28 of minimum size and weight.

The fan 18 with its radial diffuser 19 and involute housing 20 is very efiicient in connection with a vacuum cleaner unit, and practically eliminates air heating in the unit, thereby reducing offensive dust odors. The frequency of fan operation is high and desirably above the audible range of human ears, so that the intensity of the fan noise is a minimum.

In Figure 7 is shown a modified form of handle construction for the cleaner unit, in which the two handles are combined and in which the secondary portion of the handle is made long enough to allow the operator to hold it in any selected part therealong to afford her the balance she desires. In this modified construction, there is provided a single handle member 90 in the form of a round rod, affixed at its forward end to the top of the casing 100, as for example by riveting, and having a forward part spaced from the casing to form a secondary handle 85a and extending substantially parallel to the casing wall to permit it to be conveniently grasped. The handle member 90 extends snugly through a hole in the bracket extension 80a of the fan housing 20a and has a rear part extending straight and offset at a desirable angle of 22% with the longitudinal axis of the casing 10a to form a primary handle 81a. The secondary handle 85a is longer than the width of an ordinary grasping hand to permit an operator to select her own grasping section of said handle.

As another alternative, the bracket extension 80a may be eliminated entirely and the handle member 90 may be supported as a cantilever at is forward end, so that this member is unobstructed along its entire length. With this continuous construction, the primary and secondary handle parts may be joined by a section of wider radius than is shown in Fig. 7, so that any part of the full length of the handle member 90 can be utilized as a handle.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a rigid casing for a dirt separator adapted to extend at an angle to the floor when said cleaner is employed for cleaning near the floor level, means for securing a tubular connection for a cleaning tool to the forward inlet end of said casing, a coaxial fan and motor unit mounted at the rear outlet end of said casing with its axis extending at an acute angle to the casing axis, at least a portion of the axis of the fan and motor unit along said unit being located below said casing axis, and said angle being such as to cause the axis of said unit to extend substantially horizontal in floor cleaning position of said cleaner, the heaviest-part of the cleaner exclusive of tubular connections and of cleaning tools at the forward end of said casing being the fan and motor unit, and the center of gravity of the cleaner exclusive of tubular connections and of cleaning tools at the forward end of said casing being in the region of the casing near its rear outlet end, said cleaner being light enough to permit its operation conveniently as a portable hand device above the floor level, and handle means for said cleaner comprising a primary part located above the fan and motor unit and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the motor and fan unit and at an acute angle to the casing axis to permit convenient manipulation of the cleaner as a floor cleaner and a secondary part on the top of said casing approximately over said center of gravity to permit convenient manipulation of the cleaner as a portable hand device.

2. A vacuum cleaner having a rigid casing, a composite dust bag in said casing having an outer paper sack, a

flexible, mesh, non-metallic, fabric sack on the inside of said paper sack, and a non-metallic disc ring at the open end of said paper sack, said composite bag forming a disposable unit adapted to be inserted into said casing or taken out therefrom as a unit, and a suction tube connected to one end of said casing and extending into the hole in said ring for communication with the interior of said dust ba said mesh fabric sack being wrapped at one end over said ring and tucked into said ring hole around said suction tube to form a dust and lint trap for the dust bag.

3. A vacuum cleaner having a rigid casing, a composite disposable dust bag in said casing having an outer paper sack, a flexible mesh fabric sack on the inside of said paper sack, and a rigid paper disc ring at the open end of said paper sack, the end of said mesh sack extending beyond the end of said paper sack and being wrapped over said ring and tucked into the hole in said ring, whereby the component parts of the composite dust bag are retained as a unit, and a suction tube connected to one end of said casing and extending into said ring hole for communication with the interior of said dust bag.

4. A composite disposable dust bag comprising an outer paper sack, a flexible mesh non-metallic fabric sack on the inside of said paper sack, and a rigid non-metallic disc ring at the open end of said paper sack, the end of said mesh sack extending over said ring and being tucked into the hole in said ring, whereby the component parts of the composite dust bag are retained as a unit.

5. A composite disposable dust bag comprising an outer paper sack, a flexible cotton mesh fabric sack on the inside of said paper sack, and a rigid paper disc ring inside the open end of said paper sack, the end mouth section of said paper sack being darted to reduce the end opening of said paper sack, the end of said mesh fabric extending beyond the end of said paper fabric and being tucked into the hole in said ring to retain the component parts of the dust bag together as a unit and to form a dust and lint trap for the end of said dust bag in use.

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